Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-05-27

flags OF truce to her troubled mind, hut-
tering In the wind from a line in the back
garden.
'They're washing" said Roxy to her
self, with Frightening face. 'Now's
the time for me to go in and see how it
is done"
She slipped insinuatingly in at the
open kitchen door, whence cloud of
white steam foated forth. "Good-morn-
ing, Docia,n she said to Miss Theodocia
Honeywell, the Squire's daughter. "Do
you suppose your grandmother would
like jar of my wild plums2 They're a
nice color, and keep their flavor beauti-
fully. No, don't stop your work" Gas
Miss Theodocia paused courteously, and
began to wipe her soapy arms on a
roller-toweD; ''go on just as if l wasn't
here"
And she eagerly settled herself to take
note of the stout young woman's every
motion. But Miss Theodocia's ideas of
politeness were a great deal too well de-
fined to allow her to spend her time in
washing when there was company.
"You're very kind, I'm sure, said
she, "but the clothes can wait. 1 dare
say granny would relish the plums, and
anyhow we've city boarder this month,
an artistic young gentleman, and any
little luxury comes in handy for the
table"
"An artist2" wistfully repeated Roxy.
eyes," nodded Docia. "Such pictures
as he paints with squeeze or two out of
his color tubes, and dab of his brushes !
l declare it seems like magic. You paint
too, Roxy Stephens, don't you'll"
ga little" confessed Roxy, thinking
guiltily of the peach-blossom plaques
and the panels covered with abortive at
tempts at autumn leaves that she had
spoiled. "But painting is no use, Docia
For woman mean. I'd deal rather
know how to-wash."
Docia Honeywell burst out laughing.
"What odd things you do say, Roxy p
cried she. "But when it comes to paint
ing, being no use, I just wish you could
see the little bits of canvas and mill
board that our Mr.. Jeffleys gets hun
dred and fifty dollars for. A-hundred
--and-ffty-dollars Going, are you 2"
for, since the business of washing was
temporarily suspended, poor Roxy's pur-
pose was blighted. "Well, I'm sure it
was very kind of you to think of the pre-
served plums, and we'll be very thankful
for them, especially since mas citron all
moulded, and the blackberries fermented,
and blew the tops off the cans and broke
the cellar windows. And, Roxy, if I'll
stop in some afternoon will you show me
that new crochet stitch G-the one in
shells and waves, you know, like Mrs
Deacon Dodds shawls.
Roxy promised that she would, and set
forth, wondering to herself why it was
that she lacked the moral courage to ask
Docia for instruction in the mysteries of
the wash-tub just as frankly as Docia had
requested her assistance in unraveling
the complexities of the new crochet
stitch.
II think must be dreadful goose"
sighed Roxy. "But, all the same, that
washing has got to be done, whether well
or ILL.,"
And so the next morning, when Aunt
Sally had eaten the ham and eggs which
Roxy had now learned to fry in so ap-
petizing manner, and drunk the coffee
which was as clear as any amber, she set
forth on her daily task of root and herb
hunting, and Roxy carried the basket of
clothes out to the shore of the brook,
where mighty old chestnut-tree spread
its dome of shade, washed and wrung and
rinsed them until it was q mercy that
there were any two threads left together
Then she hung them ont on the lines,
which she had stretched from tree
to tree, skewering each article safely in
it's place with wooden pins, so
that no frolicsome wind should lure it
"And now," said Roxy, as with head
slightly on one side she viewed the result
of her prowess, 81 think I've earned a
little rest" And drawing a novel from
her pocket, Roxy sat down under the big
tree, with her sun bonnet thrown back,
her loose curls tangled over her fore
head, and her round white arms still bare
to the shoulder, to read, and before she
knew it she was asleep.
When she awakened she was no longer
alone. Between her and the sunshine
there was-could she believe her eyes2-
yea, verify there was young man hur-
riedly working at portable easel, which
was set up on a level spot on the grass,
with all the composure and aplomb of a
young man who felt himself to be in the
right place in creation's diagram. She
looked at him with solemn, sleep shad-
owed eyes; he looked back at her ex-
actly as if she was a part of the land
scape, and worked steadily on in ST.
lence.
"Are you an artist2" said she. care
you painting the old chestnut tree2 Oh,
you must be the gentleman that Docia
Honeywell told me about" And then
she suddenly remembered the tangled
fringe of cnrls, the round, uncovered
arms, and jumped up in panic of very
becoming confusion.
81 am Mark Jeffeys," said the artist,
composedly. eyes, l am boarding at
Squire Honeywell's house. And youa"
81 am Roxy Stephens" said the girl,
hurriedly pulling down her calico sleeves.
eff you will just step up to the house !
will give you jar of wild plums that
promised to Docia; that is" with an alb
rupt consciousness of her own temerity),
''if you don't mind carrying it."
And this was the manner of taeir first
acquaintance.
Roxy was very sorry when Mr.. JEFF
ferys returned to the city. It seemed
as if his absence left yawning hiatus in
her life, which had not previously been
eventful or rich in incident. But she did
not know how more than sorry Mark
Jeffreys was to part from her.
Full many flower is born to blush
unseen,'" he quoted to himself, after the
hackneyed style Of the young man in gen.
eral when the little winged god has him
at a disadvantage. "But she shall not
blush unseen if my pictures in this year's